There has been one thing consistent between the two games, however. The Huskies have shot the ball poorly from 3-point territory.

That’s something UConn is trying to change for its final exhibition tune-up today against Queens College at Gampel Pavilion (5:30 p.m.).

“Of course, I want us to shoot a little bit better,” said coach Kevin Ollie. “I want us to start making some of those open 3’s. We’ve been doing a lot of shooting work, so hopefully that will carry over (Sunday).”

Against Providence, the Huskies were 6-for-22 on 3s. They missed 10 of their first 12 in the first half before knocking down a few late in the game, after the Friars had amassed as much as a 27-point lead.

On Monday night against Merrimack, UConn was a mere 1-for-14 from distance.

“We’ve definitely been focused on shooting a lot, getting a lot of shots up, a lot of reps up,” redshirt freshman guard Alterique Gilbert said after an open practice for students on Friday night. “We shot poorly the first couple of games. That’s what we’re looking to improve on. I think it’s just a matter of time before they all start falling. I’m not really concerned about that too much.”

Gilbert is certainly one of the players that needs to shoot better. He missed all three of his 3-point attempts against Merrimack and is 1-for-5 overall. Gilbert, who is coming off shoulder surgery that caused him to miss all but the first three games of last season, has been taking the ball to the rim strong, but must look for his shot more to keep defenders honest.

“He can’t always be driving,” Ollie said. “Al’s got to take two or three a game and keep defenses honest, and he’ll start making some of them. Then that opens up his drive. He has to be comfortable taking them and looking for them.”

Gilbert has been predictably rusty after missing nearly all of last season.

“I’m just working my way into the game, trying to find a rhythm, things like that,” he said. “I definitely think it’s gonna come. The team is coming along great. Each day, we’re getting better. That’s the most important thing.”

He added that he has no concerns about his shoulder when he drives the ball into traffic.

“I think we’re a little more physical in practice, anyway. In the games, I feel a lot more protected by the refs. I don’t think about it at all, I just try to play. Get my teammates the ball and do my best each day to get better.”

Terry Larrier missed all but the first four games last season due to a torn ACL. The 6-foot-8 swingman has missed all six of his 3-pointers so far.

Larrier didn’t participate in Friday night’s open practice, which mostly consisted of drills and slam dunks. He watched with an ice pack on his left knee, which Ollie said had some soreness. Larrier did participate in the team’s regular practice beforehand.

RIM RATTLINGS

Besides Larrier, grad transfer David Onuorah (hip) also sat out Friday’s open practice. Onuorah hasn’t played in either of the Huskies’ exhibition games and isn’t expected to play on Sunday, either. The 6-9 forward had an MRI on his hip recently and is improving “slowly but surely,” according to Ollie.

Sidney Wilson, who transferred to UConn in September after taking summer courses at St. John’s, wasn’t at Friday’s practice at all as he looks to shore up some academic work. He’s still hoping for an NCAA waiver to allow him to play this season.

About 200 students took in Friday’s open practice. It was the first time UConn players have been in Gampel since roof renovations began this summer.

“The building looks great,” Gilbert noted. “It’s like a whole new arena.”